Happy Birthday Daddy!

When asked by Camryn and Kendra what he wanted he had two replies. First, a baby. After she was born he added, "something that shows me my girls love me." Camryn and Kendra took this very seriously. They wanted to buy daddy something special. They came up with two ideas. They wanted to get him an umbrella, "to keep the rain off his head." It was very difficult to talk them out of this one. They were sure he would love it. The other idea they came up with was a flashlight.
Both of these items are things the girls love themselves. They have a Dora umbrella they love to play with. Earlier this week, Kent bought them two small LED flashlights that they really love. So they wanted to get him the same thing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!!!

I love you SO MUCH!!!

You're everything I need and more.

First Pics

Corinne got her first professional pictures taken. Bethany did such a good job. She captured Corinne so well. Check her blog at http://setintimephotography.blogspot.com



Now the hard part is picking one to hang on our wall with our other family photos.

Daddy's Girl

We did get to bring Corinne home on Saturday. We have been enjoying our sweet baby at home. She is such an angel.
She really is a daddy's girl too. Look at the resemblance. I included a picture of me for comparison, but there is no arguing who she looks like.

-------Kent ----------------------------------------------Kathleen

Baby Update

This week has been a roller coaster ride. On Tuesday morning, the day after Corinne was born, at 8:30am we are told they are taking our daughter to the NICU.

I was GBS positive, which meant that our baby was at risk for contracting a serious infection during delivery. When I was in labor I was started on IV antibiotics, which significantly decreases the risk to the baby. The baby is still screened for complications. So Tuesday morning they drew her blood for testing. Her WBC count came back a little high and her CRP was more than double what it should be. She was also having a hard time maintaining her body temperature. These were all signs that she was getting an infection, so she was admitted to the NICU and started on antibiotics.Here she is, on her first day in the NICU. She was stripped down and put under a warmer and hooked up to monitors that recorded her heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation.

She also had a stuffy nose, so she was put under a hood with humidified air. She never had to be given oxygen, just moisture to clear that stuffy nose.

The moisture did its job too. Humidifiers can be so good for a baby. Her poor little hand, with the IV in it.

She got off the warmer on Wednesday, and was maintaining her own body temperature. Then she was in jamas and blankets, but that left hand always had to be out and accessible.

Camryn and Kendra did get to come meet her, only one time since Corinne has been born. They have been so excited for her to be born, and they are still waiting for her to come home.

They are such good big sisters already. They love Corinne so much.

They ask me when me and the baby are coming home.

Since Corinne has been in the hospital, I have spent most of my time there too. I am breastfeeding, and have been able to continue to do so, but it has meant I have had to be available for feedings. We have gotten "hands on" time every 3 hours. During that time I nurse her, change her diaper, and hold her. It is supposed to be limited to 30 minutes, but Corinne has been doing so good since her admission, they usually give us more like an hour. In between feedings I get to eat, sleep, and spend some time with Camryn and Kendra. I haven't had near enough time to do any of those things as good as I should.

Corinne never seemed too sick. They caught it really early with the screening,which we consider a huge blessing. She is supposed to be discharged tonight, after her last dose of antibiotics. We can't wait to bring her home.

During all of this, we had another big something going on. Kent has needed sinus surgery for a long time. Right now, for a short period of time, we are double covered on insurance. So he had surgery scheduled for Wednesday (the day after Corinne was admitted). When we planned this, we didn't think it would be too bad. I would be recovering from having a baby and he would be recovering from surgery. My mom planned to be here to help take care of the kids and help us. We didn't anticipate Corinne being hospitalized. When it happened, we still went ahead with Kent's surgery.

My mom was a life saver. She spoiled Camryn and Kendra and took such good care of them. She left Wednesday night and my sister, Nicole, showed up. Nicole took care of my two girls and her two girls, and attended to Kent. I was MIA, at the hospital most of the time. I don't know what we would have done without them. Thank you, thank you, thank you to my mom and sister.

Thank you also to those of you who have caught wind of what was going on and helped us. So many have offered their help and support. It means so much.

So tonight, we bring our baby home. Kent is starting to recover. Things are falling into place. Thank you for your prayers and support.

She's Here!!

Corinne Elise Parkinson was born at 4:37 p.m. on March 8. She weighed 6 lbs. 11oz. and was 20 inches long.

Master Bathroom

Our bathroom is finally done, except for a few minor things. We still need baseboards and some accessories I am planning on adding, but we have started using it. We now have a two person jacuzzi bathtub and a double walk-in shower.

Kent planned and designed it and did all the work. He also stuck to an incredibly low budget. I am so lucky to have such a talented husband.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY NEW BATHROOM!!!

Projects

Bird Feeders

Camryn and Kendra, like most children, love anything to do with animals. Camryn has been wanting to hang a bird house in our backyard for awhile now. I came across an idea for bird feeders that kids can make and I thought the girls would love it.

First the girls spread peanut butter all over pine cones.

Then they cut shapes out of bread with cookie cutters and I made a small hole in the shapes to string through later. Then the girls spread peanut butter on the bread pieces.

After that, the girls rolled their peanut butter pine cones and bread in bird seed.

We had to let the bread dry, but then we were able to string everything together.

We hung them from a tree outside the girls bedroom window, so they can look out and see the birds enjoying their treat.

Master Bathroom

A much bigger project at our house has been our master bathroom. Kent has been working like mad to get it done before the baby comes. Last weekend he was up grouting until after 11:00pm, when he had to get up for work at 4:00am the next morning.

I think he worked himself CRAZY.

He got everything pretty much done last weekend. We still have some finishing touches and a lot of cleaning to do in there. When it is all put together, I'll post more pictures.

So we are ready for the baby. She seems to be pretty comfortable where she is though. Both Camryn and Kendra were born by now. She is showing her individuality already.